Health Sciences

Master of Science in Clinical Immunology

The Master of Science in Clinical Immunology is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in immunology, focusing on immune system function, immunological disorders, and diagnostic immunology. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in clinical laboratory science, immunology research, and biomedical diagnostics.

Core areas include immunology fundamentals, immune system function, immunological disorders, immunodiagnostics, serology, autoimmunity, allergy and hypersensitivity, transplant immunology, tumour immunology, molecular immunology, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and extensive practical laboratory applications.

The programme is offered by Zetech University, Great Lakes University of Kisumu, and University of Kabianga, with JKUAT as a college. JKUAT offers MSc in Molecular Medicine specialising in Clinical Immunology through its Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases (ITROMID), and MMLS with Clinical and Public Health Immunology option.

Students develop competencies in immunological techniques, serology, flow cytometry, ELISA, molecular immunology, immunodiagnostics, quality control, and research. The programme includes coursework, laboratory practicals, examinations, supervised research, and thesis. JKUAT's ITROMID programme focuses on molecular medicine approaches to immunology.

The programme is delivered over two years with full-time study mode. JKUAT's MMLS requires KMLTTB registration and two years of post-qualification experience. The programme accommodates medical laboratory science, biomedical science, and related graduates.

Graduates pursue careers as immunology technologists, biomedical researchers, diagnostic specialists, serology specialists, quality assurance officers, and lecturers in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, research institutions, and universities.

Skills Required

Immunological Techniques and Assays
Serology and Immunodiagnostics
Flow Cytometry
ELISA and Immunoassay Techniques
Molecular Immunology
Autoimmunity and Immune Disorders
Transplant Immunology
Tumour Immunology
Laboratory Management and Quality Assurance
Immunology Research Methods

Key Subjects

Immunology Fundamentals
Immunodiagnostics and Serology
Autoimmunity and Immune Disorders
Molecular Immunology
Transplant Immunology
Tumour Immunology
Allergy and Hypersensitivity
Flow Cytometry
Laboratory Management and Quality Assurance
Immunology Research Methods

Certifications

KMLTTB Professional Certification
IUIS Professional Membership

Specializations

Clinical and Public Health Immunology

Focuses on clinical and public health immunology, immune system function, immunodiagnostics, infectious disease immunology, and applying immunology in clinical and public health settings.

Molecular Immunology

Examines molecular immunology, molecular techniques in immunology, immune system genetics, and understanding immune responses at molecular level.

Autoimmunity and Immune Disorders

Covers autoimmunity, autoimmune diseases, immune disorders, hypersensitivity, and diagnosing and managing immunological disorders.

Transplant Immunology

Focuses on transplant immunology, tissue typing, transplant rejection, immunosuppression, and immunological aspects of organ and tissue transplantation.

Tumour Immunology

Examines tumour immunology, immune response to cancer, tumour antigens, immunotherapy, and understanding and applying immunology in cancer.

Vaccine Immunology

Covers vaccine immunology, immune response to vaccines, vaccine development, and understanding and developing immunological interventions through vaccination.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 248,000
Private, up to: Ksh 120,000
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 15 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Immunology Fundamentals
Immunodiagnostics and Serology
Autoimmunity and Immune Disorders
Molecular Immunology
Transplant Immunology
Tumour Immunology
Allergy and Hypersensitivity
Flow Cytometry
Laboratory Management and Quality Assurance
Immunology Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Advanced Immunology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines advanced immunology, immune system structure, innate and adaptive immunity, immune cells, cytokines, and immune response mechanisms.
Immunodiagnostics and Serology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers immunodiagnostics, serology, ELISA, Western blot, immunofluorescence, and using immunological methods for disease diagnosis.
Molecular Immunology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines molecular immunology, molecular techniques in immunology, immune system genetics, antibody engineering, and molecular approaches to immunology.
Autoimmunity and Immune Disorders
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers autoimmunity, autoimmune diseases, autoantibodies, hypersensitivity, allergy, and diagnosing and managing immunological disorders.
Transplant Immunology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines transplant immunology, tissue typing, HLA typing, transplant rejection, immunosuppression, and immunological aspects of organ and tissue transplantation.
Tumour Immunology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers tumour immunology, immune response to cancer, tumour antigens, cancer immunotherapy, and applying immunology in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Flow Cytometry
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines flow cytometry, cell sorting, immunophenotyping, and using flow cytometry for immunological analysis and diagnosis.
Vaccine Immunology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers vaccine immunology, immune response to vaccines, vaccine development, and understanding and developing immunological interventions through vaccination.
Laboratory Management and Quality Assurance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines laboratory management, quality assurance, laboratory standards, and managing immunology laboratory operations.
Immunology Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for immunology, experimental design, data analysis, and conducting immunology research, preparing students for their thesis.
Infectious Disease Immunology
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines infectious disease immunology, immune response to pathogens, immunology of tropical diseases, and applying immunology to infectious disease diagnosis and management.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a clinical immunology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and immunology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Clinical and Public Health Immunology
Focuses on clinical and public health immunology, immune system function, immunodiagnostics, infectious disease immunology, and applying immunology in clinical and public health settings.
Molecular Immunology
Examines molecular immunology, molecular techniques in immunology, immune system genetics, and understanding immune responses at molecular level.
Autoimmunity and Immune Disorders
Covers autoimmunity, autoimmune diseases, immune disorders, hypersensitivity, and diagnosing and managing immunological disorders.
Transplant Immunology
Focuses on transplant immunology, tissue typing, transplant rejection, immunosuppression, and immunological aspects of organ and tissue transplantation.
Tumour Immunology
Examines tumour immunology, immune response to cancer, tumour antigens, immunotherapy, and understanding and applying immunology in cancer.
Vaccine Immunology
Covers vaccine immunology, immune response to vaccines, vaccine development, and understanding and developing immunological interventions through vaccination.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Clinical Immunology programme begins with morning lectures on immunology, immune system function, or immunodiagnostics. Students engage in theoretical discussions on immune responses, immunological disorders, and diagnostic methods. Laboratory sessions form the central part of the programme, involving immunological techniques, serology, flow cytometry, ELISA, and molecular immunology. Immunology fundamentals sessions cover immune system structure, innate and adaptive immunity, immune cells, cytokines, and immune response mechanisms. Immunodiagnostics sessions examine serology, ELISA, Western blot, immunofluorescence, and using immunological methods for disease diagnosis. Autoimmunity sessions cover autoimmune diseases, autoantibodies, diagnosis of autoimmune conditions, and understanding immune system dysfunction. Molecular immunology sessions involve molecular techniques in immunology, immune system genetics, antibody engineering, and molecular approaches to immunology. Transplant immunology sessions examine tissue typing, HLA typing, transplant rejection, immunosuppression, and immunological aspects of transplantation. Tumour immunology sessions cover immune response to cancer, tumour antigens, cancer immunotherapy, and applying immunology in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Flow cytometry sessions involve cell sorting, immunophenotyping, and using flow cytometry for immunological analysis. Vaccine immunology sessions examine immune response to vaccines, vaccine development, and immunological interventions. Quality assurance sessions cover laboratory standards, quality control procedures, and ensuring accuracy in immunology laboratory testing. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering immunology research methods, experimental design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from KEMRI researchers, immunologists, and infectious disease specialists provide real-world insights. JKUAT's ITROMID programme focuses on molecular medicine approaches to immunology in tropical disease contexts. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's infectious disease burden, vaccine development initiatives, and growing diagnostic services create strong demand for qualified immunology professionals.
JKUAT offers two pathways: MSc Molecular Medicine (Clinical Immunology) through ITROMID and MMLS with Clinical and Public Health Immunology option.
Programme covers diverse immunology areas including autoimmunity, transplant, tumour, molecular, and vaccine immunology, providing comprehensive training.
Strong career opportunities with hospitals, KEMRI, pharmaceutical companies, vaccine research organisations, and international health organisations.

Against it

JKUAT's MMLS requires KMLTTB registration and two years of post-qualification experience, which may exclude some applicants.
Programme is full-time only at JKUAT, which may not accommodate working professionals.
Programme requires access to well-equipped immunology laboratories with flow cytometry and molecular equipment, which may vary across listed universities.
Programme requires background in medical laboratory science, biomedical science, or related field, which may exclude some graduates.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public248k to 248k

248k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology248k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Private120k to 120k

120k at Great Lakes University of Kisumu120k at Great Lakes University of Kisumu

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

JKUAT MSc Molecular Med 496K/2=248K/yr. GLUK 60K/sem=120K/yr. Kabianga/AKU unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. KEMRI supports immunology and infectious disease research. WHO provides immunisation and vaccine research grants. The programme's infectious disease and immunology focus attracts significant donor and international health organisation funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
KEMRI Research Grants
WHO Immunisation Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate clinical immunology studies at recognised universities.
KEMRI Research Grants
GrantKsh 400,000Kenyan
KEMRI provides research grants for immunology and infectious disease research, supporting postgraduate research in clinical immunology.
WHO Immunisation Grants
GrantKsh 500,000
WHO provides grants for immunisation and vaccine research, supporting capacity building in immunology and vaccine development in developing countries.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is designed for medical laboratory science, biomedical science, and related graduates. Two-year full-time programme at JKUAT. JKUAT offers two pathways: MSc Molecular Medicine (Clinical Immunology) through ITROMID at KES 496,000 total, and MMLS with Clinical and Public Health Immunology option at KES 393,000 total. MMLS requires KMLTTB registration and two years of post-qualification experience. Programmes are full-time only.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, laboratory reports, practical exercises, case studies, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering immunology, immunodiagnostics, molecular immunology, and autoimmunity, conducted at end of each semester.
Laboratory and Practical Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of laboratory and practical skills including serology, flow cytometry, ELISA, molecular techniques, and laboratory reports.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a clinical immunology topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and immunology knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT offers MSc in Molecular Medicine specialising in Clinical Immunology through ITROMID and MMLS with Clinical and Public Health Immunology option. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate clinical immunology training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT offers MSc in Molecular Medicine specialising in Clinical Immunology through ITROMID and MMLS with Clinical and Public Health Immunology option. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate clinical immunology training.
Kenya Medical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists Board (KMLTTB)
Professional accreditationRequired
KMLTTB regulates medical laboratory practice in Kenya. JKUAT's MMLS curriculum was developed in consultation with KMLTTB guidelines. Graduates must be registered with KMLTTB to practise as immunology laboratory professionals.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Immunology Technologist
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Performs advanced immunology laboratory procedures, serology, flow cytometry, immunodiagnostics, and ensures quality immunology services in hospital and diagnostic laboratories.
Biomedical Researcher
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Conducts immunology research, studying immune responses, developing diagnostic methods, and contributing to immunology and infectious disease knowledge.
Diagnostic Specialist
Moderate demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Specialises in immunological diagnostics, developing and implementing diagnostic protocols, and ensuring accuracy of immunology diagnostic services.
Serology Specialist
High demandKsh 110,000 to Ksh 450,000
Specialises in serological testing, performing and interpreting serological assays, and managing serology laboratory operations.
Vaccine Research Associate
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Supports vaccine research, studying immune responses to vaccines, conducting vaccine trials, and contributing to vaccine development.
University Lecturer
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches immunology and biomedical science in universities, conducting research and training future immunology professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as immunology technologists, biomedical researchers, and diagnostic specialists in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, research institutions, and universities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

Flow Cytometer
EquipmentPrimary
Flow cytometer for cell sorting, immunophenotyping, cell counting, and analysing immune cell populations in immunology laboratory work.
ELISA Reader
EquipmentPrimary
ELISA microplate reader for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, antibody detection, and serological testing in immunology diagnostics.
PCR Machine
Equipment
PCR machine for molecular immunology, DNA amplification, immune gene analysis, and molecular techniques in immunology research.
R Statistical Computing
Software
Open-source statistical computing environment for immunology data analysis, flow cytometry data analysis, and research data analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Clinical immunology is just about allergy testing.
Clinical immunology covers autoimmunity, transplant immunology, tumour immunology, molecular immunology, vaccine development, and infectious disease immunology, far beyond allergy testing.
Immunology graduates can only work in hospital laboratories.
Graduates work in research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, vaccine development, biotechnology, public health, and academia, not just hospital laboratories.
There is limited demand for immunology specialists in Kenya.
Kenya's infectious disease burden, vaccine development initiatives, and growing diagnostic services create strong demand for qualified immunology professionals.
This programme is only for medical laboratory science graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from biomedical sciences, biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and related fields with appropriate background.
Immunology is a narrow field with limited career growth.
Immunology is a rapidly expanding field with applications in cancer therapy, vaccine development, autoimmune disease treatment, and biotechnology, offering diverse career paths.
A master's in clinical immunology is redundant after a bachelor's in medical laboratory science.
The master's provides advanced immunology knowledge, research capability, specialised diagnostic skills, and career progression to senior laboratory and research positions.